But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Global Diaconate Annual Report 2009
Author:
Scott Purser
Date Given:
February 2, 2010 If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.—Isaiah 58:10
The Global Diaconate Task Force began 2009 at a day-long retreat in January considering what it means to pour ourselves out for the hungry and afflicted. Each month, our task force met to pray, study, plan, and dream about how our church can Treasure Christ Together through responding to the poorest of the poor around the world. In 2009, the Global Diaconate Task Force included the following people:
- Keith Burnes
- Heather Elting-Ballard
- Jeff Bender
- Holly Leslie
- Brad Nelson
- Steve Prater
- Scott & Cindy Purser
- Todd & Tamara Rasmuson
- Jon S.
- Bill & Cindi Walsh
After five years as Global Diaconate Coordinator, I will step off the task force but not without tremendous appreciation and respect for those who make up this team. I consider this team of global deacons to be those of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom (Acts 6:3). Thank you!
Bethlehem’s Global Partners Working Among the Poor
The primary focus of our task force is to help Bethlehem’s global partners extend compassionate care to the poor throughout the world. The Global Diaconate has supported several of Bethlehem’s global partners this year by financially assisting with projects that are a part of their work. These Global Partners include the following people:
Burt & Trish Koppendrayer, Serving With SIM, Guinea and Senegal
Global Diaconate assisted a Community Health Evangelism (CHE) project reaching Muslims in Guinea. This initiative involves using a holistic training approach, addressing both spiritual and physical needs in this region.
Steve & Julie Anderson, Serving with Wycliffe, Cameroon: Special ‘Wheels for the World’ Project with Joni and Friends
A Bethlehem short term ministry team traveled to Cameroon to minister to people with disabilities. Christ’s love was compassionately shared and wheelchairs were carefully fitted for those in need. Funds for transporting the wheelchairs to Cameroon were provided by the Global Diaconate.
Craig & Tracy Sorley, Serving With Care of Creation, Kenya
The Global Diaconate assisted global partners Craig & Tracy Sorley in publishing their new books, Christ and Creation: Our Biblical Calling to Environmental Stewardship and Farming That Brings Glory to God and Hope to the Hungry. These books will be used throughout Kenya to help train, disciple and promote the use of God-centered farming techniques.
Lynda Oatley, Serving With Converge Worldwide, Brazil
We were able to send support for ministry to vulnerable children in Brazil through the children's home REAME (which means “to love again”). Global Diaconate funds will be used to start a program with a social worker and psychologist for children who have been saved from living on the streets.
Disaster Response
Typhoon Relief Through The Nehemiah Project, Manila, Philippines
We partnered with The Nehemiah Project to assist with the relief efforts for the Filipino people of Metro Manila who experienced the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Ketsana/Typhoon Ondoy. The Nehemiah Project is a non-profit organization which focuses on church planting and emergency/humanitarian relief efforts. Emergency food, water, medicine, and supplies were purchased to meet the immediate needs of the thousands of displaced Filipinos.
Short Term Team to Manila, Philippines
Six members from Bethlehem Baptist Church were sent to assist The Nehemiah Project team in typhoon relief efforts. The team left October 19, 2009, to serve alongside teams in assisting at medical clinics, with food and clothing distribution, and through clean-up and reconstruction efforts.
Ameva Farm and Bible College, Zimbabwe
Disaster relief was provided in the wake of catastrophic economic, agricultural, and political turmoil occurring in Zimbabwe. A food distribution program benefited the Bible College students, clinic patients, and orphans connected with Ameva. Pastor David & Karin Livingston visited Ameva Farm during their sabbatical in June.
Pakistan Project
Support was given to provide clean water and firewood after an earthquake in the central west area of Pakistan and Afghanistan. A Bethlehem member took a leadership role in this relief project. Later in the year, a research survey was funded for a rehabilitation and development project for displaced peoples of Pakistan’s war with the Taliban. Their group will be working with those returning to their communities to help rebuild their homes and villages.
The Disaster Team has also worked closely with Bethlehem’s Short Term Ministry Mobilization Committee and Rapid Response Team in training efforts and preparations for future ministry.
Anti-Human Trafficking
In 2009, the Lord gave the Global Diaconate Task Force the opportunity to support various anti-human trafficking agencies through financial support, the sending of a short-term team to India, and holding regular anti-trafficking meetings for prayer, training, and awareness-raising events.
Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAAST), Bangladesh
We partnered with Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAAST) to provide funds for materials to be used for a training of trainers in Bangladesh. The training of trainers provides Christian leaders, social workers, and those in the legal field with biblical educational tools to further their understanding of trafficking and the needs of survivors.
The trainings are used to build cooperative networks of personnel who are working in anti-trafficking efforts through prevention, rescue, and restoration in Jesus’ name. Anti-trafficking meetings took place two times a month at Bethlehem for prayer and training using the FAAST curriculum.
Freedom Firm, India
Working with Freedom Firm’s Regional Aftercare Program in India, support was given for new developments in investigation of trafficking activity, legal procedures to secure justice, and the provision of materials for further care of survivors of trafficking rescued by Freedom Firm. Funds were also given to Freedom Firm for camp scholarships.
This year, a short term team of seven members planned and conducted a camp in India for 28 rescued girls, working together with counselors from various anti-trafficking agencies that reside in India. The team also planned and conducted activities at two government homes, building relationships between the government home staff and Freedom Firm.
Peace and Hope International, Ecuador
Funds covered expenses for launching an anti-trafficking program in one of the largest cities in Ecuador. The founders of this new Peace and Hope office are using the funds to conduct programs for building community partners through prayer meetings, the development and distribution of educational materials, office supplies and awareness-raising events.
Journey to Justice Awareness Event
In May, the Global Diaconate alongside Freedom Firm and Peace and Hope International, organized and presented an awareness event called “Journey to Justice.” This provided an opportunity to worship, pray, and learn about trafficking by traveling through stations set up to illustrate the pathway from the initial act of bondage to rescue to restoration.
In addition to these areas, we presented an awareness-raising session on international anti-trafficking efforts for a Sr High group at Bethlehem. One small group spent a night volunteering at the local recovery program for women coming out of prostitution. In November, crafts made by women in aftercare programs from India and Thailand were sold at Bethlehem’s annual Craft Boutique.
Strategic Compassion
The decisions on what organizations, partners, and programs to support are not taken lightly or without prayer and discussion. This year our team read and discussed When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself, by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. It encouraged and challenged us to continue to pour ourselves out for the hungry in compassionate and empowering methods.
Global Diaconate approved more than $100,000 in 2009 for these programs designed to strategically assist the poor in the name of Jesus.
Joyful Leadership Transition
The elders, the Global Outreach Team (Missions Committee) and the Global Diaconate have all fully endorsed the appointment of Todd & Tamara Rasmuson to serve as our next Global Diaconate Coordinators. I leave with joy and appreciation for the role that has been entrusted to me the past five years. Thank you, Bethlehem!
Serving together with you,
Scott Purser, Global Diaconate Coordinator
(for the Global Diaconate Task Force)